Meyers-Martin Speaks to Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Foundation, Highlights Efforts to Promote Treatment of Deadly Condition

ORLAND PARK, Ill. — State Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin, D-Olympia Fields, was a featured speaker at the “Purple Carpet Fundraiser” of the Sarcoidosis-awareness Bernie Mac Foundation on Saturday, April 5. Meyers-Martin spoke about her successful efforts to pass a 2021 bill promoting awareness of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that killed the group’s founder, Chicago comedian Bernie Mac, in 2008.

“Sarcoidosis is a serious illness that disproportionately affects the Black community and can lead to life-changing, or even deadly, complications,” Meyers-Martin said. “Promoting awareness of sarcoidosis can lead to greater investment and help prevent lives being cut tragically short. The hard work and dedication of advocacy groups like the Bernie Mac Foundation are instrumental in building a future in which sarcoidosis and other incurable ailments have cures.”

Meyers-Martin’s House Bill 590, designating each April as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in Illinois, was signed into law on July 23, 2021 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and became effective on January 1, 2022.